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Sat Feb 22 2003
SF Cops continue derelict behavior, kill another unarmed man
Why does the SF Police Department seem so trigger-happy? This is one of many unanswered questions that the family and friends of murdered man suspected of stealing a car are most likely asking. The SFPD is releasing few details of the incident, which occurred on 2/19, except its spokesman has described how one officer was pinned by the arm and two other officers immediately opened fire, killing the man. Read more
Police in SF are no strangers to committing violent acts against the city's residents. From the murder of Idriss Stelley to the beatings at Thurgood Marshall high school, changes seem to come few and far between in terms of police behavior. Read more at SFBayView.com
Police in SF are no strangers to committing violent acts against the city's residents. From the murder of Idriss Stelley to the beatings at Thurgood Marshall high school, changes seem to come few and far between in terms of police behavior. Read more at SFBayView.com
Fri Feb 21 2003
Cops Lose Temper, Crowd Fights Back
One protester still in jail: 3/1 update by Ralowe
Updated 2/21: All but two antiwar protesters have been released, and most have been "discharged." Those with charges still pending have hearings scheduled for Monday 2/24. 2/21 Legal Update
2/16: Following the main march on 2/16, approximately two thousand people joined an unpermitted breakaway march. The march started at Civic Center and headed downtown. The crowd was blocked from entering Union Square and one person was arrested in a confrontation in front of the Crate and Barrel. The crowd then moved towards Powell St and several people climbed on top of a cable car with their signs. While over six people had climbed onto the car, the only one arrested (minutes after climbing down) was the sole African American in the group who had been on the car. The crowd then moved towards the San Francisco Shopping Center where a window was broken at Abercrombie and Fitch. As the crowd moved back up Market St another window was broken at Old Navy but there were no arrests.
As the march was returning to Civic Center, it got boxed in by police near 8th and Market. As the crowd chanted to be let go, the police lost control of their horses. The horses reared and jumped into sections of the crowd. Angry protesters attacked by the horses started throwing things and the police line collapsed with protesters moving back as a group to 8th and Market. At 8th and Market the police arrested perhaps one or two people for minor charges and the crowd tried to block the police cars from leaving and a police car window was broken. The police then charged, swinging batons and hitting (and kicking ) everyone in sight.
Eventually the number of protesters decreased, the police took the intersection and the protesters got back on the sidewalk. Due to the location most of the crowd was now composed of people leaving the main march rather than the original breakaway protest. Around 7 PM the police stopped blocking the intersection, the crowd moved in and a few minutes later several hundred police moved back to retake the intersection. There was no conflict and most people moved back to the sidewalk but a small group of people (perhaps forty protesters) was surrounded in the middle of the intersection. The small group sat and locked arms and after the police used various pain techniques the small group of peaceful protesters were put in several police cars and a bus.
Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6| 7| 8| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19
Video: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14
Reports: 1 | 2 | 3
Archive of Breaking News | 2/18 Legal Update | 2/20 Legal Update
Updated 2/21: All but two antiwar protesters have been released, and most have been "discharged." Those with charges still pending have hearings scheduled for Monday 2/24. 2/21 Legal Update
2/16: Following the main march on 2/16, approximately two thousand people joined an unpermitted breakaway march. The march started at Civic Center and headed downtown. The crowd was blocked from entering Union Square and one person was arrested in a confrontation in front of the Crate and Barrel. The crowd then moved towards Powell St and several people climbed on top of a cable car with their signs. While over six people had climbed onto the car, the only one arrested (minutes after climbing down) was the sole African American in the group who had been on the car. The crowd then moved towards the San Francisco Shopping Center where a window was broken at Abercrombie and Fitch. As the crowd moved back up Market St another window was broken at Old Navy but there were no arrests.
As the march was returning to Civic Center, it got boxed in by police near 8th and Market. As the crowd chanted to be let go, the police lost control of their horses. The horses reared and jumped into sections of the crowd. Angry protesters attacked by the horses started throwing things and the police line collapsed with protesters moving back as a group to 8th and Market. At 8th and Market the police arrested perhaps one or two people for minor charges and the crowd tried to block the police cars from leaving and a police car window was broken. The police then charged, swinging batons and hitting (and kicking ) everyone in sight.
Eventually the number of protesters decreased, the police took the intersection and the protesters got back on the sidewalk. Due to the location most of the crowd was now composed of people leaving the main march rather than the original breakaway protest. Around 7 PM the police stopped blocking the intersection, the crowd moved in and a few minutes later several hundred police moved back to retake the intersection. There was no conflict and most people moved back to the sidewalk but a small group of people (perhaps forty protesters) was surrounded in the middle of the intersection. The small group sat and locked arms and after the police used various pain techniques the small group of peaceful protesters were put in several police cars and a bus.
Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6| 7| 8| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19
Video: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14
Reports: 1 | 2 | 3
Archive of Breaking News | 2/18 Legal Update | 2/20 Legal Update
Mon Feb 17 2003
Cops Lose Temper, Crowd Fights Back
Updated 2/18: 5 antiwar protesters are still in jail, being held on felony or multiple felony charges. The woman who was held overnight on misdemeanor "biting a cop" was released today on her own recognizance; witnesses report that she was being choked by a riot cop. Arraignment hearings, including for those still in jail, are scheduled for 9am this Friday; public pressue may help get their cases heard earlier. Two National Lawyers Guild lawyers are among those providing legal support. A rally is planned for 1pm Thursday 2/20 at 850 Bryant to support political prisoners and pressure D.A. Hallinan to drop the trumped up charges.
2/16: Following the main march on 2/16, approximately two thousand people joined an unpermitted breakaway march. The march started at Civic Center and headed downtown. The crowd was blocked from entering Union Square and one person was arrested in a confrontation in front of the Crate and Barrel. The crowd then moved towards Powell St and several people climbed on top of a cable car with their signs. While over six people had climbed onto the car, the only one arrested (minutes after climbing down) was the sole African American in the group who had been on the car. The crowd then moved towards the San Francisco Shopping Center where a window was broken at Abercrombie and Fitch. As the crowd moved back up Market St another window was broken at Old Navy but there were no arrests.
As the march was returning to Civic Center, it got boxed in by police near 8th and Market. As the crowd chanted to be let go, the police lost control of their horses. The horses reared and jumped into sections of the crowd. Angry protesters attacked by the horses started throwing things and the police line collapsed with protesters moving back as a group to 8th and Market. At 8th and Market the police arrested perhaps one or two people for minor charges and the crowd tried to block the police cars from leaving and a police car window was broken. The police then charged, swinging batons and hitting (and kicking ) everyone in sight.
Eventually the number of protesters decreased, the police took the intersection and the protesters got back on the sidewalk. Due to the location most of the crowd was now composed of people leaving the main march rather than the original breakaway protest. Around 7 PM the police stopped blocking the intersection, the crowd moved in and a few minutes later several hundred police moved back to retake the intersection. There was no conflict and most people moved back to the sidewalk but a small group of people (perhaps forty protesters) was surrounded in the middle of the intersection. The small group sat and locked arms and after the police used various pain techniques the small group of peaceful protesters were put in several police cars and a bus.
Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6| 7| 8| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19
Video: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14
Reports: 1 | 2 | 3
Archive of Breaking News | 2/18 Legal Update | 2/20 Legal Update
2/16: Following the main march on 2/16, approximately two thousand people joined an unpermitted breakaway march. The march started at Civic Center and headed downtown. The crowd was blocked from entering Union Square and one person was arrested in a confrontation in front of the Crate and Barrel. The crowd then moved towards Powell St and several people climbed on top of a cable car with their signs. While over six people had climbed onto the car, the only one arrested (minutes after climbing down) was the sole African American in the group who had been on the car. The crowd then moved towards the San Francisco Shopping Center where a window was broken at Abercrombie and Fitch. As the crowd moved back up Market St another window was broken at Old Navy but there were no arrests.
As the march was returning to Civic Center, it got boxed in by police near 8th and Market. As the crowd chanted to be let go, the police lost control of their horses. The horses reared and jumped into sections of the crowd. Angry protesters attacked by the horses started throwing things and the police line collapsed with protesters moving back as a group to 8th and Market. At 8th and Market the police arrested perhaps one or two people for minor charges and the crowd tried to block the police cars from leaving and a police car window was broken. The police then charged, swinging batons and hitting (and kicking ) everyone in sight.
Eventually the number of protesters decreased, the police took the intersection and the protesters got back on the sidewalk. Due to the location most of the crowd was now composed of people leaving the main march rather than the original breakaway protest. Around 7 PM the police stopped blocking the intersection, the crowd moved in and a few minutes later several hundred police moved back to retake the intersection. There was no conflict and most people moved back to the sidewalk but a small group of people (perhaps forty protesters) was surrounded in the middle of the intersection. The small group sat and locked arms and after the police used various pain techniques the small group of peaceful protesters were put in several police cars and a bus.
Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6| 7| 8| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19
Video: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14
Reports: 1 | 2 | 3
Archive of Breaking News | 2/18 Legal Update | 2/20 Legal Update
2/12: Reconsider that cigarette in front of your friendly neighborhood convenience store, as you might be cited for intent to deal drugs. Last night Oakland's City Council passed an ordinance (in a 5 to 3 vote), which builds on existing CA state law, that would allow the police to do just that, i.e. ticket you if they believe you're loitering for the purpose of dealing drugs.
Oakland's ordinance will allow the police to issue citations of up to $500 instead of having the alleged offense be a misdemeanor as required by state law. A person charged with an infraction will not be entitled to a trial by jury and will most likely not be permitted representation by a public defender.
Over 200 people spoke out against the ordinance as a violation of civil liberties. Of those on the council, only Councilwoman Nancy Nadel came out strongly against the measure.
Cities across the country, from Berkeley to Chicago 1992 | 2000, have tried to use anti-loitering laws of various types to get people off the streets, though most have been repealed or defeated because of vocal, public outrage. Whether you're homeless or a group of (poor, black, otherwise non-conforming) kids hanging out, your right to just stand around in public could disappear in Oakland when the City Council votes on the ordinance on Feb 25. Corporate media report | City Council minutes | Black Youth and the Culture of Control
Oakland's ordinance will allow the police to issue citations of up to $500 instead of having the alleged offense be a misdemeanor as required by state law. A person charged with an infraction will not be entitled to a trial by jury and will most likely not be permitted representation by a public defender.
Over 200 people spoke out against the ordinance as a violation of civil liberties. Of those on the council, only Councilwoman Nancy Nadel came out strongly against the measure.
Cities across the country, from Berkeley to Chicago 1992 | 2000, have tried to use anti-loitering laws of various types to get people off the streets, though most have been repealed or defeated because of vocal, public outrage. Whether you're homeless or a group of (poor, black, otherwise non-conforming) kids hanging out, your right to just stand around in public could disappear in Oakland when the City Council votes on the ordinance on Feb 25. Corporate media report | City Council minutes | Black Youth and the Culture of Control
Fri Feb 7 2003
Gay Shame Attacked By Police While Protesting Gavin Newsom
Members of the community organization Gay Shame had gathered outside
the SF Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Community Center to say
"shame!" on Gavin Newsom for notorious anti-homeless policies, as well as on the Center
for its cynical attempt to cozy up to the conservative mayoral frontrunner.
By holding an event with Gavin Newsom, the Center revealed who its real community was- and who got left out. At $125, tickets for the fundraiser cost more than twice the
monthly income of San Francisco's neediest under Newsom's new "Care not Cash" plan.
Towards the end of the peaceful protest, demonstrators tried to follow Gavin into the center and the SFPD rushed them, hitting them with police battons as the center's communications director looked on. Four protestors were arrested, two of whom were thrown face down into the street and dragged over concrete to the police wagons.
There will be a press conference Monday February 10th at noon at the Hall of Justice 850 Bryant SF
Details 1 | 2 | 3 | Pictures | More on Gavin Newsom
Towards the end of the peaceful protest, demonstrators tried to follow Gavin into the center and the SFPD rushed them, hitting them with police battons as the center's communications director looked on. Four protestors were arrested, two of whom were thrown face down into the street and dragged over concrete to the police wagons.
There will be a press conference Monday February 10th at noon at the Hall of Justice 850 Bryant SF
Details 1 | 2 | 3 | Pictures | More on Gavin Newsom
Sun Jan 26 2003
Riots On International Blvd Following Raiders Super Bowl Loss
1/26: Riots broke out on International Blvd between 35th Ave. and 90th Ave. For a few weeks, Oakland Police have publicly declared their intention to attack crowds of people standing around outside after the game. As it turns out, OPD went after mostly East Oakland neighborhoods with wooden bullets and tear gas.
[ Reports: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 ] [ Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 ]
Thousands of people were on the street. A spirit of comraderie and friendship was literally everywhere as people had fun in the streets together, mourning their Super Bowl loss. Things got scary when the police attacked the crowd with tear gas and wooden bullets. Police cars were trashed and some other cars as well as several buildings (including a McDonalds near 63th and International) were ransacked and set on fire. At several points there were barricades of burning dumpsters in the street as thousands of angry Oakland residents fought with the police.
Although the crowd was diverse and was mostly nonviolent before the police arrived, the corporate media has been playing up "random" violence. The corporate media seems to have been afraid of talking to people in the crowd and their one-sided coverage sparked anger directed at their vehicles. A KRON 4 news van had its windows smashed and a KPIX (CBS) news van was also trashed. A police officer interviewed by KRON TV said he saw the police action as a "dry run" (perhaps for larger riots when the war starts?)
People who videotaped or photographed any police brutality should publish it to SF-IMC. The Oakland Police are best known for their role in the bloody suppression of the Black Panthers, their role in the bombing of environmental activists, and most recently for their "Riders" gang which systematically attacked Oakland residents.
[ Reports: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 ] [ Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 ]
Thousands of people were on the street. A spirit of comraderie and friendship was literally everywhere as people had fun in the streets together, mourning their Super Bowl loss. Things got scary when the police attacked the crowd with tear gas and wooden bullets. Police cars were trashed and some other cars as well as several buildings (including a McDonalds near 63th and International) were ransacked and set on fire. At several points there were barricades of burning dumpsters in the street as thousands of angry Oakland residents fought with the police.
Although the crowd was diverse and was mostly nonviolent before the police arrived, the corporate media has been playing up "random" violence. The corporate media seems to have been afraid of talking to people in the crowd and their one-sided coverage sparked anger directed at their vehicles. A KRON 4 news van had its windows smashed and a KPIX (CBS) news van was also trashed. A police officer interviewed by KRON TV said he saw the police action as a "dry run" (perhaps for larger riots when the war starts?)
People who videotaped or photographed any police brutality should publish it to SF-IMC. The Oakland Police are best known for their role in the bloody suppression of the Black Panthers, their role in the bombing of environmental activists, and most recently for their "Riders" gang which systematically attacked Oakland residents.
Mon Jan 20 2003
Thousands March in Rememberance of Martin Luther King Jr.
1/20: In bone-chilling, foggy 48-degree weather, thousands marched in San Francisco to celebrate the 74th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Among them included voices against the impending US war on Iraq, and for justice for Mumia Abu-Jamal. There was also a March in Fresno today. Let us also remember, last year on this day, approximately 30 police officers attacked four African American San Francisco youth with guns drawn. Click here and here for reports on today's SF March. There was also a March in Fresno today.